By Donna Gabanski, Class of 1994
I would like to introduce the class of 2020, nineteen new docents certified for Walk Through Time. There are 10 men and 9 women, about half work full time and the others are retired or have flexible work schedules. Their professions include accounting, education, design, writing, medicine, banking and many more.
It has been, as that Beatles’ song lamented, a long and winding road. The class began with great enthusiasm on January 25, 2020 and proceeded on schedule during the five weeks of Fundamentals of Chicago Architecture. Henry Binford, Tom Leslie, and Paul Steinbrecher lectured to the class. The docents-in-training wrote descriptions of the 10 case study buildings and braved the wintry February weather as they practiced presentations on the street.
On March 5, 2020 training began for Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age.
The first twist in the road came the next week as CAC and the city of Chicago shut down in response to the spread of Covid. No one expected that postponement would last a year.
The class convened again on April 10, 2021. Of the original 27 trainees, 19 were able to resume training. Two sessions were held via Zoom with lectures pre-recorded to shorten the length of the Zoom days. The very important coaching sessions were done in person with small groups.
In addition to the switch to Zoom classes, tour training now focused on Walk Through Time rather than Treasures. Nevertheless, all trainees certified by the deadline and are happy to finally be conducting tours. They are now training for a second tour. Half are learning Chicago Icons and the other half Must-See Chicago.
It has indeed been a long and winding path and the class of 2020 is to be commended for their patience, flexibility, and continued enthusiasm. Class member, Patricia O’Connor, wrote, “Besides our staying power, I’d like to highlight that — despite it all — we kept our sense of humor, perspective, and curiosity.”
As we complete our celebration of 50 years of Docent Training, we look forward to the contributions of this first class of the next half century, the “Roaring Twenties” as they have chosen to call themselves.
Please give them a warm welcome when you meet them at the center.
A shout-out to the 2020 class : I was a reader and your enthusiasm NEVER flagged — it was really inspiring. Now, go out and have FUN showcasing Chicago and its amazing collection of architecture !
Bravo to the class of 2020! You more than demonstrate that you have what it takes to be great docents: flexibility, persistence and humor. I am so proud of all of you
I’m very proud of this class! You overcame obstacles the rest of us never dreamed of and persevered.?Congratulations!
Congratulations to the class of 2020! Your flexibiilty and determination has carried you through! I am so proud of this class!
Welcome to all of you, and congratulations. It’s great to have you on the team. After what you’ve been through, it’s hard to imagine anything will come up that will throw you. Enjoy your tours and the return of visitors to downtown!
Welcome and congratulations. You seem to have already passed the test of time! Have fun on your tours and guests will too!
Welcome & Kudos! Looking forward to seeing you on the streets!
Quite a journey of perseverance! Welcome to the family!
Congratulations and welcome! You have already shown flexibility due to an unexpected shutdown. You are well-prepared for anything unexpected that may happen on your tours.